As companies' Java application footprints grow larger, so do the risks involved in making changes, such as an upgrade, new deployment, or migration to a different application server. Phurnace's software automates these processes, and has support for WebLogic, IBM WebSphere, JBoss, and WebSphere Portal.

Phurnace's software "started out as a tool to move application configurations between different app servers," said Redmonk analyst Michael Coté. "Like, 'I want to move from WebSphere to JBoss,' and Phurnace's stuff would pull out the configuration, transform it, and then move it into JBoss."

The company subsequently bolstered its software's management capabilities, he said.

BMC likely bought Phurnace in order to add new capabilities to the BladeLogic portfolio, versus to gain an installed base or take out a competitor, Coté said.

In a blog post, Phurnace CEO Larry Warnock painted the acquisition as a good development for customers. "All of the things that you liked about Phurnace, you will love about BMC," he said. Phurnace's entire staff will remain on board, he added.